Big shoes to fill for Myers
The long search for an Artistic Director to replace Neil Armfield at Company B Belvoir is finally over, with the theatre company last week announcing Ralph Myers would take over Mr Armfield’s prized role.
With Mr Armfield announcing his departure in May, after a quarter of a century with the company, Mr Myers’ appointment comes after a five-month recruitment process. Although Mr Myers does have some experience as a director, making his directorial debut with Frankenstein for the Sydney Theatre Company last year, his main experience since 2000 lies in set design. In this respect, the company said, he is “a confident and experienced artist with a clear idea of what theatre is, how it should be, and the ability to lead and inspire.”
Company B Belvoir’s General Manager, Brenna Hobson, highlighted Mr Myers’ close collaborations with a range of top directors over the last decade. “Most directors don’t get to spend the sort of time that Ralph has in the rehearsal room of their colleagues,” she said. “Having been a set designer, Ralph has worked closely with people with a range of directing styles, and I think that will stand him in good stead. He’s also about 20 years younger than Neil, so the things that have informed his artistic sensibilities, and his understanding of Australia and Australians’ place in the world, reflects that.”
The new appointment is not Myers’ first instance working with Company B Belvoir, having worked extensively in set design for the company and currently retaining a position there as an Associate Artist. He also retains experience from companies such as Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin Theatre Company, Legs on The Wall and Opera Australia.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with the Artistic Directorship of one of Australia’s finest and most well-loved theatre companies,” Mr Myers said. “As a freelance artist I always relished the opportunity to work at Belvoir St Theatre, and now I look forward to the prospect of being there full-time, and leading the company into its next chapter. Neil Armfield is one of the towering giants of the Australian cultural landscape. I’m humbled to step into his enormous shoes.”
Armfield himself was supportive of the appointment. “I have tremendous respect for Ralph and am very happy with the panel’s decision to appoint him,” he said. “[He] has a powerful architectural aesthetic, mixed with a wonderful sense of play. I have worked with him many times and, as a director, it is a pleasure to collaborate with a designer who has such an innate understanding of how stories are told on a stage.”
Fellow Director Benedict Andrews described Mr Myers as, “the most outstanding stage designer of his generation,” and said the appointment was thrilling and gutsy. “He brings to his work a deep curiosity about the everyday spaces which people inhabit – the places they live, work, suffer, and love,” he said. “It is very fitting that Ralph should assume Neil’s mantle at Company B Belvoir. Like Neil, he has a great and childlike love for theatre’s rough magic. He has a vision for Belvoir Street which will draw from the company’s lively heritage as well as creating a home for the next wave of theatre makers.”
Mr Myers will continue in his role as an Associate Artist with Company B Belvoir for the rest of 2009 and throughout 2010. He will work with Neil Armfield until the latter’s departure in December 2010, and will assume responsibility for programming the Company’s 2011 season.
